Hello! ^_^ Thanks so much for the sweet wondering comments. Really inspire me to write the next chapter!
I would like to dedicate this chapter to:
Sarah, Phoebe, Makura Koneko, Angel, catseye_dragon, darksamurai13, Lizzie, elijahsbaby1981, BAPFORLIFE, Slim-shady's-Modelling-Baby, Yiselle, TheSilverLady, laura, Sunshine Stargirl, May Malfoy, Culf, sgt pepper, Christina, bunch, aku-neko, Phoenix of Ravenclaw, Krissy, Soshila Dove, Fire Soul, T-Aye-ki, Moonlight Flower, AA Battery, Doobie, Lisa-Ann and Gandella Raye!
^_^ Thank you so much! I really hope you like this chapter!
Author Note: ^_^ To TheSilverLady, this will NOT be a perverted thing as I don't like writing those type of things anyway! This is a children book afterall! And the characters are too pure for that! ^_^ So don't worry. But, this will be a Hermione/Draco, unless some drastic thing happens. I think they make a cute couple! Yes unrealistic, but I like them! ^_^
Oh, Hermione's life may seem easy at first. The tasks menial. But it gets worse… much worse… ^_^
Chapter Two: Symmetrical Ham and other nonsense
He paused, looking as if he was pondering. "Now let's see what will be your first order."
"Oh yes." Draco smiled deviously.
"Call me Master."
I paused for a moment. "Seriously, Draco. Are you born a jerk or one due to circumstances?"
Draco laughed. "It's good you still have a sense of humour."
His eyes turned cold. "You will need it."
With that, Draco and his two minions walked away from the table.
"Till tomorrow, my slave."
"Tell him that I don't want to talk to him." I said to Harry as we walked back to our Common Room.
Harry sighed, he turned to Ron. "Hermione doesn't want to talk to you."
"Tell her I'm really sorry." Ron looked pleadingly at me.
"Tell him it's not his fault." I said coolly. "It's not his fault that he had to protect his ego."
"After all." I added sarcastically, "We don't want him to lose his manhood now, do we?"
Ron sighed. "I'm really sorry, Hermione."
Then Ron perked up. He smiled. "But don't worry! I'm going to train real hard! Then challenge Draco again! And free you!"
For a moment, I really thought I was going to murder Ron.
"Harry," I said as calm as I could. "Tell that red-headed friend of yours that if he dares to challenge Draco again, make sure that I'm in no way related to it. Or he shall die a painful death."
Harry sighed, and turned to Ron.
Ron shook his head at Harry. "No need. I heard loud and clear."
You know I love Harry and Ron. I would do anything for them. I would probably even risk my life for them.
But being Draco's slave was another thing.
I was seriously thinking in pretending the whole thing ever happened. Who cares if everybody calls me a liar?
I sighed. Big-headed me do.
Maybe I could just roll down the stairs and get amnesia. If I was lucky enough, maybe I would even go into coma.
Compared to Draco, it would certainly be less painful.
"What are YOU doing here?" I said in surprised as Harry, Ron and I stepped out of the Fat Lady's portrait.
"Collecting you of course." Draco rolled his eyes. "It's never too early to dictate people."
"Oh right." I sighed.
I looked at Harry and even Ron. "Well, it was nice knowing you."
Draco yawned. "Granger, don't be silly. I won't kill you straight away. I prefer long term torture. Much more satisfying."
I mustered up the sweetest smile I could at Draco. "That was SO nice to hear. Just the thing every slave would LOVE to hear. No wonder you are such a hit with the girls."
Draco arched his eyebrows at me. "Oh really? And I thought it was just the hair."
For a moment, I almost smiled. Did Draco *gasp* make a joke about himself?
But of course, I didn't. I was still sane.
I bade a teary farewell to Harry and Ron, trying to waste as much time as possible. I didn't want to be with Draco alone.
But, alas, all good things have to come to an end. And all bad things couldn't wait to start.
"Finally." Draco rolled his eyes when I parted with Harry and Ron. "You think it would be the last time you saw those brats."
I pretended I didn't hear that. "Where are Crabbe and Goyle? Your two other slaves?"
"I gave them the week off." Draco smiled.
He paused for a moment. "Hmm… what dastardly deed can I order you to do now?"
"Are you trying to imitate a cartoon villain?" I laughed. "You really needn't. You do very well on your own."
Draco pretended he didn't hear that.
Seriously, if both of us continued pretending to not hear each other, we were going to become pretty deaf soon.
"Wait." I said before Draco could open his mouth. "I'm going to make the terms clear to you."
Draco arched his eyebrow. "Terms?"
"I know I'm supposed to be your slave…"
"Supposed?"
I crossed my eyes. "Very well, I am your slave for a week. But there are many things I wouldn't do. Especially things that go against my principles and integrity."
"For example, if I ask you to box Neville, you would say no?" Draco smiled.
Draco had an interesting smile. Sort of a half smirk. As if he was thoroughly amused, but couldn't care to waste the energy to smile a real smile.
"Hmm… but if for instance you ask me to box a bigoted jerk, I would consider it." I said.
I smiled sweetly. "I'm flexible."
Draco smiled again. "Very well. I'm also very flexible. There are so many ways to drive someone mad."
And so this was how Draco and I made it to the Great Hall, talking and basically just annoying each other.
I was surprised Draco hasn't given me a horrible order. He was probably saving the worst for last.
"Ahhh…" Draco said when we reached the Great hall.
"Why?" I asked. "Did you just thought of the cure for cancer?"
"I just remembered I have this monstrous pile of unwashed laundry." Draco smiled.
"It doesn't matter. You can still wear them. It's not like you will smell any different." I said helpfully.
Draco shook his head. "Those house elves never do the laundry the way I like it."
Draco looked at me. I gulped.
"I think it's because they lack a feminine touch."
"Me? Feminine? You are SO wrong. My nickname is the Shirt Terminator." I said quickly.
Draco smiled. "Then it's settled then! I will get Crabbe to send you the pile of dirty laundry. I must add that the pile of laundry will also include Crabbe's, Goyle's, Tommy's, Roger's…"
"And basically the whole of Slytherin?" I sighed.
"No. I'm not that mean." Draco laughed. "I didn't forget to add some Ravenclaw laundry too. To add some spice."
"That is so nice of you." I said dully. "One must never forget your compassionate heart."
I grinned then. "I must say though, I'm disappointed. Laundry? Is that all you can do?"
Draco smiled. It was a cold wicked smile. "My little slave, this is just for starters."
I paused.
Maybe I shouldn't have said that.
"Granger!"
I groaned. This was the fifth time.
Draco was not going to let me sit down.
"What is it this time?" I grumbled as I walked back to Draco.
The students at the Slytherin and Gryffindor table were all looking at this little fiasco, and probably thought it was pretty funny.
I would too, if it didn't happen to me!
"I don't know. I thought about it, and the ham doesn't look symmetric to me." Draco smiled sweetly.
"Why in hell would you want to eat symmetrical ham?" I cried.
First, it was cut the eggs for me, Granger. Then it was, hmmm… I don't like raisins, take out all the raisins for me in this cereal.
Third it was I feel like eating peanut butter sandwich now. Oh and the rest of the table would like peanut butter sandwich too. You don't mind spreading 200 pieces of bread do you? Of course not!
Oh, you finally finished. I don't like it now. I feel like eating ham. Cut it for me in perfect squares.
"Trust me." I glared at Draco. "When it come out, it doesn't matter if it's symmetrical or not."
Draco smiled pleasantly. "Now, Granger. Do I sense a temper?"
"Maybe you should go eat your breakfast." Draco said sweetly. "I don't want you fainting when you carry our books."
"Our" basically consisted of many Slytherins that I couldn't bother to remember the names.
"Maybe I would." I said pointedly. "If someone would just eat their OWN breakfast in peace."
Draco yawned. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
And that was why I didn't eat breakfast today.
But Harry and Ron were very nice, they wrapped a sandwich and passed it to me when Draco wasn't looking.
I'm going to eat it when Draco *finally* goes to class.
"Granger, if you continue at this speed, we will all be late for class." Draco said.
"Malfoy, it's not as if I'm having the time of my life here." I said annoyed.
I was carrying about five people's worth of books, not counting my own. Needless to say, my arms hurt.
"You are so weak." Draco sighed.
"So are you going to help me?" I said, not at all of hopeful.
Draco laughed. "Of course not."
Miracles of all miracles, Draco and I made it for the class.
I must be stronger than I think.
"Goodbye. Thank god." I said as I dumped the books on Draco.
I didn't even bother to turn around again as I ran to my own class.
Draco shook his head, smiling as he picked up his books. "She's stubborn, but I'm going to break her."
